Despite his third diagnosed concussion in two seasons, retirement was never an option for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who recently clarified his stance on the topic.
Following a Week 2 injury against the Buffalo Bills, there was speculation within the NFL that Tagovailoa should consider stepping away from football. However, in an interview with ESPN, he revealed that no doctors had advised him to retire. Tagovailoa made it clear that, even if they had, he would have continued his career.
“Retirement never crossed my mind,” Tagovailoa said. “If doctors had raised the idea, it would’ve simply been something for me to consider.” Throughout his recovery, team doctors focused on monitoring his health, consistently asking about his well-being and conducting tests, but no one suggested he quit. “If they’d told me to stop, I would have taken it seriously, but we never had that conversation,” he shared.
Tagovailoa made his return on October 27, though he initially struggled, losing to the Arizona Cardinals and then the Bills, where he threw three interceptions. Nevertheless, he helped the Dolphins get back on track with a win against the Rams, completing 20 of 27 passes for 207 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The victory lifted the Dolphins to a 3-6 record, providing a spark for their playoff hopes.
Now, Tagovailoa’s focus is on staying healthy and moving forward. He’s also hopeful that the public will stop focusing on his concussions. “I don’t want to be known as the poster boy for concussions,” he said.
